WEBVTT - Sharing a Sunflower with Sandee 0:00:45.633 --> 0:00:48.553 Hello and welcome to In Plain Sight, a program where 0:00:48.553 --> 0:00:51.193 we highlight people who are making a positive impact in 0:00:51.193 --> 0:00:53.353 the community and disability sector. 0:00:53.513 --> 0:00:56.393 Shining a light on those who would be otherwise hidden 0:00:56.393 --> 0:00:57.473 in plain sight. 0:00:57.473 --> 0:00:59.553 And it's a pleasure to bring you these stories on 0:00:59.553 --> 0:01:03.873 a weekly basis with you here on Vision Australia Radio. Well, 0:01:03.873 --> 0:01:05.993 here we are. We found ourselves in the studio again 0:01:05.993 --> 0:01:07.393 this week. How are you, Simon? 0:01:07.633 --> 0:01:09.593 I'm excellent. Thanks, Andrew. How are you going? 0:01:09.633 --> 0:01:11.233 Really well. Really good. 0:01:11.233 --> 0:01:12.593 It's a great time of year. 0:01:12.593 --> 0:01:13.193 It is. 0:01:13.432 --> 0:01:17.513 Andrew. People might notice that we often try to frame 0:01:17.513 --> 0:01:21.712 our programs in and around certain awareness days or certain 0:01:21.712 --> 0:01:24.913 awareness months or weeks, and I just wanted to bring 0:01:24.953 --> 0:01:28.193 attention to something that coincides with the fact that on 0:01:28.193 --> 0:01:32.433 October 6th is Cerebral Palsy Day. Now, Andrew, you've got 0:01:32.432 --> 0:01:34.672 some information there about Cerebral Palsy Day. 0:01:34.712 --> 0:01:37.913 Yes. World Cerebral Palsy Day is the 6th of October, 0:01:37.913 --> 0:01:42.283 as you've mentioned, and it's a recognition day focusing on 0:01:42.283 --> 0:01:47.003 celebrating and empowering people with cerebral palsy and raising awareness 0:01:47.003 --> 0:01:47.843 of rights. 0:01:47.843 --> 0:01:50.922 Because I also wanted to bring attention to a fundraising 0:01:50.963 --> 0:01:55.443 event that one of our friends of the program, Taylor Tasseff, 0:01:55.523 --> 0:01:58.403 who has cerebral palsy, and when we first met Taylor, 0:01:58.403 --> 0:02:01.643 she told us that she doesn't call it cerebral palsy. 0:02:01.643 --> 0:02:06.723 She says CP stands for Cool People Syndrome, and Taylor 0:02:06.723 --> 0:02:09.083 Tasseff is one of the coolest people going around, and 0:02:09.083 --> 0:02:11.963 she is a hard working, dedicated person to not only 0:02:11.963 --> 0:02:17.643 raising awareness to disability rights and disability advocacy, and she 0:02:17.683 --> 0:02:20.803 often does fundraising for telethon, and she's doing some fundraising 0:02:20.803 --> 0:02:24.442 for telethon right now. And Andrew, you got the information 0:02:24.443 --> 0:02:27.683 there that Taylor has shared with us to tell us 0:02:27.683 --> 0:02:29.843 all about her fundraising for telethon. 0:02:29.843 --> 0:02:33.403 That's right. And telethon, of course, is a huge fundraising 0:02:33.403 --> 0:02:36.003 event that's been running in Perth for many, many years 0:02:36.003 --> 0:02:39.523 through channel seven. And they've raised millions and millions of 0:02:39.523 --> 0:02:42.783 dollars over the years. And it's a terrific thing to encounter. 0:02:42.783 --> 0:02:45.502 And it is mainly to do with the Children's Hospital 0:02:45.503 --> 0:02:51.343 and Children's Health Services. And given that Taylor, as we mentioned, 0:02:51.383 --> 0:02:54.303 has cerebral palsy, she had a lot to do with 0:02:54.303 --> 0:02:57.023 the Children's Hospital. So she's one of these people that 0:02:57.023 --> 0:02:59.903 giving back to something that helped her out and has 0:02:59.903 --> 0:03:02.823 helped out families over many years. Yeah. So what's the 0:03:02.823 --> 0:03:04.502 event that she is doing? 0:03:04.623 --> 0:03:08.543 Well, it's a it's a telethon appeal and she's named 0:03:08.543 --> 0:03:12.302 it a really snappy title of Taylor's terrific Telethon Quest. 0:03:12.343 --> 0:03:16.303 It's quite alliterative. Mhm. And yeah, it's on now. So 0:03:16.303 --> 0:03:20.663 if you actually just Google Taylor's terrific telethon quest, it'll 0:03:20.662 --> 0:03:23.222 take you there and it takes you to a channel 0:03:23.222 --> 0:03:26.702 seven telethon website, and you just go from there to 0:03:26.743 --> 0:03:27.702 make your donations. 0:03:27.743 --> 0:03:29.423 Say it again for us, Andrew. 0:03:29.463 --> 0:03:32.583 Yeah. It's fun to say this. Taylor's terrific telethon quest. 0:03:33.183 --> 0:03:35.063 So this week we are going to be talking about 0:03:35.063 --> 0:03:39.422 hidden disabilities. And I was inspired to bring this program 0:03:39.423 --> 0:03:44.873 to you today because during the week of 18th to 0:03:44.873 --> 0:03:51.553 the 24th of October is Invisible Disabilities Week. Invisible disabilities 0:03:51.753 --> 0:03:56.913 is an organization based in America, and they try to 0:03:57.153 --> 0:04:01.232 help people who have this broad thing called invisible disabilities, 0:04:01.233 --> 0:04:03.473 as we like to say here in Australia. Now, Andrew, 0:04:03.513 --> 0:04:07.913 you got there's a theme for Invisible Disabilities Week. 0:04:07.953 --> 0:04:11.233 Yes, there is. So it's bringing awareness and education and 0:04:11.233 --> 0:04:14.913 support to your family and friends and co-workers and community 0:04:14.913 --> 0:04:18.193 around the world during the Invisible Disabilities Week. 0:04:18.233 --> 0:04:20.713 And one of the topics and themes that they talk 0:04:20.753 --> 0:04:27.233 about in the Invisible Disabilities organization is the theme of belief. 0:04:27.273 --> 0:04:33.033 We believe you. And it's talking about valuing people's own 0:04:33.033 --> 0:04:37.433 lived experience with whatever it is that they have, be 0:04:37.433 --> 0:04:41.893 it a disability, a chronic illness, severe pain, chronic pain, 0:04:41.893 --> 0:04:44.173 and all these different things that can come under the 0:04:44.173 --> 0:04:49.693 hidden disability or invisible disability umbrella. And it's simple things 0:04:49.693 --> 0:04:52.893 like just letting people know that you see them and 0:04:52.893 --> 0:04:56.293 you believe in them and you value them as individuals 0:04:56.293 --> 0:05:00.573 and as people and as someone that has a hidden disability. Myself, 0:05:00.573 --> 0:05:03.733 I am vision impaired. So that often comes across as 0:05:03.733 --> 0:05:06.893 a hidden disability. And for those of you who are 0:05:06.933 --> 0:05:09.493 my Facebook friends or follow me on Facebook, you might 0:05:09.493 --> 0:05:12.653 notice that I have a sunflower as part of my 0:05:13.413 --> 0:05:17.093 Facebook personal profile. And I did that for two reasons. 0:05:17.093 --> 0:05:19.213 One is because I like sunflowers and it looks pretty 0:05:19.213 --> 0:05:22.093 and looks bright, and I like to be pretty and bright. Um, 0:05:22.093 --> 0:05:23.853 I don't know how pretty I am and I'm not 0:05:23.853 --> 0:05:25.853 sure how bright I am, but that's a whole nother story. 0:05:26.053 --> 0:05:30.413 But I was also aware that the sunflower is the 0:05:30.453 --> 0:05:34.533 hidden disability symbol. And that's how here in Australia and 0:05:34.533 --> 0:05:38.053 New Zealand and other places, as we'll learn shortly, use 0:05:38.053 --> 0:05:42.063 that symbol to recognize people who have a hidden disability, 0:05:42.103 --> 0:05:45.663 just like someone like myself, who has vision impairment and 0:05:45.663 --> 0:05:49.423 uses a white cane as a form of identification to 0:05:49.463 --> 0:05:52.863 help tell people that I'm visually impaired. The sunflower is 0:05:52.863 --> 0:05:57.183 a tool, a symbol that can help generate conversations within 0:05:57.183 --> 0:05:59.903 the community to let people know in a very subtle, 0:06:00.143 --> 0:06:04.543 very unique and individual way that I have a disability 0:06:04.823 --> 0:06:08.943 and it's not quite obvious to everyone. So coming up shortly, 0:06:08.983 --> 0:06:12.903 you'll be hearing from Sandy Facey, who is the head 0:06:12.903 --> 0:06:18.183 of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in Australia and New Zealand. And 0:06:18.183 --> 0:06:20.623 if you're listening to the podcast, I will share that 0:06:20.623 --> 0:06:23.863 link to that website to find out more about the 0:06:23.863 --> 0:06:28.943 Sunflower Organisation, um, which is a worldwide organization. And please 0:06:28.943 --> 0:06:31.943 listen to this wonderful conversation I had with Sandy coming 0:06:31.943 --> 0:06:34.223 up for you now. Sandy. Hello. 0:06:34.423 --> 0:06:36.143 Hello, Simon. How are you? 0:06:36.263 --> 0:06:38.843 Good, thanks. Can you tell us your title and the 0:06:38.843 --> 0:06:40.483 organization you work for. There, please. 0:06:40.523 --> 0:06:44.483 So I'm the head of the Hidden Disabilities sunflower. Australia, 0:06:44.483 --> 0:06:48.603 New Zealand. And I work for a beautiful, not for 0:06:48.643 --> 0:06:52.723 profit called Bailey House located here in Melbourne. 0:06:52.843 --> 0:06:56.803 And can you tell us what hidden disabilities sunflower is? 0:06:57.003 --> 0:07:01.883 Yeah, it's a global initiative that supports people with non-visible disabilities. 0:07:01.883 --> 0:07:05.723 And it originated in the UK and at Gatwick Airport. 0:07:05.723 --> 0:07:08.723 I can tell you a little bit about the background. So, um, yeah, 0:07:08.763 --> 0:07:13.963 in 2016 on the accessibility team at Gatwick Airport recognised 0:07:13.963 --> 0:07:18.203 that some of the passengers had non-obvious disabilities. Um, it 0:07:18.203 --> 0:07:22.443 was more of a focus for the customer experience or 0:07:22.443 --> 0:07:26.403 passenger experience team to focus on people with a visible 0:07:26.403 --> 0:07:30.683 disability or walking device, etc.. And they felt quite comfortable 0:07:30.723 --> 0:07:33.603 getting people from point A to point B. Um, however, 0:07:33.643 --> 0:07:35.963 what they soon found was that there were people with 0:07:35.963 --> 0:07:40.813 non-visible disabilities and medical conditions that might need support, assistance 0:07:40.813 --> 0:07:44.293 or a little bit of time. And so the sunflower 0:07:44.333 --> 0:07:48.013 was chosen as a symbol to reflect the idea of confidence, 0:07:48.013 --> 0:07:52.493 growth and strength shown by people with non-visible disabilities. And 0:07:52.493 --> 0:07:56.733 I think really the symbol to me is, you know, 0:07:56.773 --> 0:08:00.533 the sunflower itself follows the sun. It's joyful. It can 0:08:00.533 --> 0:08:04.533 also be used incredibly discreetly as well. So it's not 0:08:04.533 --> 0:08:07.133 loud and proud unless you want it to be. So 0:08:07.293 --> 0:08:10.093 that's where it originated from. And now it's wrapped itself 0:08:10.093 --> 0:08:15.173 around about 380 airports globally. And then it reached the 0:08:15.173 --> 0:08:20.053 shores of Australia, um, in early 2019, 2020. 0:08:20.373 --> 0:08:24.693 And in broad general terms, what would be some of 0:08:24.693 --> 0:08:27.773 the disabilities that we know about that would be considered 0:08:27.773 --> 0:08:30.053 to be a hidden disability? 0:08:30.213 --> 0:08:33.453 That's a great question. So again, let's not get too 0:08:33.453 --> 0:08:38.263 caught up on hidden invisible. ET cetera. ET cetera. It's 0:08:38.263 --> 0:08:41.142 more about what the day to day challenges are and 0:08:41.143 --> 0:08:43.863 the barriers that are out there in the environment that 0:08:43.862 --> 0:08:48.343 prevent people from living their daily lives. Um, the way 0:08:48.343 --> 0:08:52.223 that they would like to. So the disabilities or the 0:08:52.223 --> 0:08:56.543 medical conditions can be permanent, temporary or situational. There's never 0:08:56.543 --> 0:08:59.982 any proof that's needed in order to wear a sunflower. 0:08:59.982 --> 0:09:03.783 And Simon, you might be really surprised to find out 0:09:03.783 --> 0:09:09.583 that there's over 950 different non-visible disabilities and medical conditions. 0:09:09.583 --> 0:09:12.623 And this again, I know I'm preaching to the choir here, 0:09:12.623 --> 0:09:17.783 but statistically speaking, 1 in 5 Australians have a disability. 0:09:17.783 --> 0:09:21.823 And of that number, up to 90% are non-visible, are 0:09:21.823 --> 0:09:24.863 non apparent. And this big it's a big number. 0:09:24.903 --> 0:09:27.463 It is big. And I guess the sunflower is a 0:09:27.463 --> 0:09:29.343 shortcut to that type of conversation. 0:09:29.383 --> 0:09:33.223 Yeah that's exactly right. So when you're comfortable with whomever 0:09:33.223 --> 0:09:36.803 you're engaged in a conversation with and you choose as 0:09:36.843 --> 0:09:40.483 a as your own choice to share your personal story. Well, 0:09:40.483 --> 0:09:43.483 that's fine, right? But when you're in public and you're 0:09:43.483 --> 0:09:46.563 trying to navigate or even in the workplace and you're 0:09:46.563 --> 0:09:49.242 trying to navigate from point A to point B, the 0:09:49.243 --> 0:09:54.403 sunflower represents that option to identify that you might need 0:09:54.403 --> 0:09:56.683 a little bit more time or support. So it gets 0:09:56.683 --> 0:09:59.163 less and less about why you wear it and more 0:09:59.163 --> 0:10:01.803 about how can I help you. And that's where the 0:10:01.803 --> 0:10:08.083 conversation starts. And it's also indicative, Simon, in public for 0:10:08.123 --> 0:10:11.523 a pause, so I can speak on my own behalf 0:10:11.523 --> 0:10:15.482 with my own non-visible conditions. I get quite anxious in 0:10:15.483 --> 0:10:19.283 public places. I do speak publicly. I'm a singer songwriter. 0:10:19.283 --> 0:10:22.403 I'm on stage a lot. But I do find myself like, 0:10:22.443 --> 0:10:24.803 as an example, if I'm going through a checkout, say 0:10:24.803 --> 0:10:27.483 an Aldi, and I've got a lot of people around me, 0:10:27.483 --> 0:10:31.483 I get quite anxious, you know, for whatever reason. And 0:10:31.483 --> 0:10:35.493 I find that when someone identifies with the sunflower, There's 0:10:35.533 --> 0:10:38.893 a pause that's taken, and it's a pause by the 0:10:38.893 --> 0:10:43.732 staff member who has aware of the sunflower, preferably from 0:10:43.733 --> 0:10:48.333 a company that's subscribed to the initiative and has watched 0:10:48.333 --> 0:10:52.893 the awareness training. And they are ready and willing to say, 0:10:52.893 --> 0:10:58.773 how can I help you with the values of being kind, patient, 0:10:59.013 --> 0:11:03.453 not non-judgmental? And, um, yeah, just providing people with a 0:11:03.453 --> 0:11:05.213 little bit more understanding. 0:11:05.613 --> 0:11:10.613 How do organizations, businesses and so on get involved with 0:11:10.613 --> 0:11:13.013 this and what's the process and do they come to you? 0:11:13.053 --> 0:11:16.093 Do you ask them to. Do you want to participate? 0:11:16.293 --> 0:11:18.732 Yeah. Simon, what a great question. So when I first 0:11:18.733 --> 0:11:23.853 started in 20 early 2020, um, or 2021, there were 0:11:23.893 --> 0:11:26.973 a handful of, um, early on borders, um, that were 0:11:26.973 --> 0:11:30.373 members of the initiative, um, that had joined predominantly through 0:11:30.373 --> 0:11:33.872 the UK. And when Bailey House became the sole Old 0:11:33.873 --> 0:11:39.473 distributor and now franchisee of the program here in Australia. 0:11:39.793 --> 0:11:44.073 Their first objective was to ensure that there were places 0:11:44.073 --> 0:11:48.433 for people who wear the sunflower to go, because essentially 0:11:48.433 --> 0:11:52.793 the sunflower doesn't mean anything. If people go places and 0:11:52.793 --> 0:11:55.393 no one knows what it represents. So it was really, 0:11:55.393 --> 0:11:58.593 really important for businesses to get on board. So what 0:11:58.633 --> 0:12:02.073 started back then? Um, which was six years ago or 0:12:02.073 --> 0:12:06.393 so with a handful of um, really lovely members, has 0:12:06.393 --> 0:12:09.153 now grown to over a thousand members. So it's a 0:12:09.153 --> 0:12:11.793 bit of a dual approach. So where the rubber really 0:12:11.793 --> 0:12:15.352 hit the pavement for us was, um, I believe when 0:12:15.353 --> 0:12:19.313 New South Wales Transport and Sydney trains on boarded and 0:12:19.313 --> 0:12:22.153 we went from a small business being run out of 0:12:22.153 --> 0:12:24.633 a not for profit to now I've got to put 0:12:24.633 --> 0:12:28.073 my thinking cap on with my very small team and say, right, 0:12:28.073 --> 0:12:30.713 we've got to scale. We have to make sure that, 0:12:31.073 --> 0:12:34.803 you know, again, let's talk about what a wonderful, wonderful 0:12:34.803 --> 0:12:37.843 work being done in WA right now with public transport 0:12:37.843 --> 0:12:40.683 and some of your stadiums and your councils. You've got 0:12:40.683 --> 0:12:43.443 numerous councils that have on boarded as well. So it's 0:12:43.443 --> 0:12:46.963 kind of a dual approach. We work, we're very small, 0:12:46.963 --> 0:12:49.963 so we proactively try to try to reach out to 0:12:50.003 --> 0:12:53.283 businesses and speak in front of groups and conferences to 0:12:53.323 --> 0:12:57.283 share how easy it is to get involved. But also 0:12:57.403 --> 0:13:00.243 we have businesses that reach out to us no matter 0:13:00.243 --> 0:13:02.203 the size, like it could be a mom and pop 0:13:02.203 --> 0:13:04.923 shop down the road that wants to join and become 0:13:04.963 --> 0:13:09.283 sunflower friendly. Or it could be Services Australia who are 0:13:09.443 --> 0:13:12.883 a member, a corporate member of ours and have rolled 0:13:12.883 --> 0:13:15.963 out across the country. So the concept is the same 0:13:15.963 --> 0:13:19.883 regardless of the size of of the business. And yeah, 0:13:19.883 --> 0:13:23.043 it's super simple. You can just jump on our website and, 0:13:23.163 --> 0:13:26.723 and join and then we take you through a whole 0:13:27.083 --> 0:13:31.603 onboarding process and depending on what subscription level, um, that 0:13:31.603 --> 0:13:35.663 business chooses to engage with us. There's all sorts of 0:13:35.663 --> 0:13:40.423 wonderful opportunities around lunch and learns and webinars. All sorts 0:13:40.423 --> 0:13:44.102 of things that we offer programs, projects that we support, 0:13:44.103 --> 0:13:46.063 and we look at it like a partnership. 0:13:46.383 --> 0:13:48.343 You just mentioned the word subscription. What do you mean 0:13:48.343 --> 0:13:48.863 by that? 0:13:48.943 --> 0:13:54.023 So essentially it's a portal. So the company that subscribes 0:13:54.023 --> 0:13:57.263 to the initiative, um there's a fee. Um and it's 0:13:57.263 --> 0:13:59.903 an annual fee depending on the size of the company. 0:13:59.943 --> 0:14:04.023 It can range from anywhere from $100 to $2500. It 0:14:04.023 --> 0:14:07.063 just depends on the level and size of the business 0:14:07.063 --> 0:14:11.503 and how many employees will be accessing the training, etc.. 0:14:11.703 --> 0:14:15.303 But the training itself is housed in a Scorm file 0:14:15.303 --> 0:14:18.862 that sits on a learning management system. And then we 0:14:18.903 --> 0:14:23.303 direct or the organization directs its employees to watch the training. 0:14:23.583 --> 0:14:26.983 Training is less than ten minutes long. It's an awareness piece. 0:14:27.223 --> 0:14:31.143 And then there are some tools that are utilized. One 0:14:31.143 --> 0:14:34.673 is the lanyard that the green and yellow lanyard that 0:14:34.673 --> 0:14:37.673 you would have seen around or had been talked about 0:14:37.673 --> 0:14:42.073 or described. And then equally as important is the I 0:14:42.113 --> 0:14:46.433 support lanyard, which is white with sunflowers on it. And 0:14:46.433 --> 0:14:51.353 that I support is the allyship. Those are the lanyards 0:14:51.353 --> 0:14:55.073 or the pins that indicate to people that I have 0:14:55.073 --> 0:14:58.433 watched the training and or have listened to the training, 0:14:58.433 --> 0:15:03.153 and I am here as a safe person to speak 0:15:03.153 --> 0:15:05.953 to if you need support and much to what you 0:15:05.993 --> 0:15:09.033 were just saying, Simon, it's someone you wouldn't have to 0:15:09.073 --> 0:15:12.273 explain yourself to. And I think that's the crux of 0:15:12.273 --> 0:15:15.873 the sunflower, is it becomes the voice of someone who 0:15:15.873 --> 0:15:19.753 is really tired of having to share why they need 0:15:19.753 --> 0:15:22.193 to use a specific toilet. Like no one. No one 0:15:22.193 --> 0:15:25.873 really needs to have to share their personal medical information 0:15:25.873 --> 0:15:28.353 as to why they wear a stoma bag or why, 0:15:28.713 --> 0:15:31.923 you know, it gets well beyond that. And it's more 0:15:32.043 --> 0:15:36.883 about that conversation of how can I support you? 30% 0:15:36.883 --> 0:15:39.443 of the time, people are just looking for a place 0:15:39.443 --> 0:15:40.643 to sit down in public. 0:15:41.323 --> 0:15:44.643 On Vision Australia radio. You're listening to In Plain Sight 0:15:44.643 --> 0:15:48.443 with Simon Chong and me, Andrew Williams. Our guest this 0:15:48.443 --> 0:15:51.603 week is Sandy Facey, who is the head of Hidden 0:15:51.603 --> 0:15:55.683 Disabilities Sunflower for Australia and New Zealand. And now it's 0:15:55.683 --> 0:15:57.243 back to Simon and Sandy. 0:15:57.683 --> 0:16:00.523 So you mentioned a number. I can't remember what it was. 0:16:00.523 --> 0:16:03.483 How many members you said you have that these organisations. 0:16:03.523 --> 0:16:07.643 Oh we have yeah. We have over a thousand business members. 0:16:07.643 --> 0:16:10.363 So and they range from, you know, we have 85 0:16:10.363 --> 0:16:14.163 councils across the country. We have a cohort of health 0:16:14.163 --> 0:16:18.163 care early on boarding hospitals in the in WA, which 0:16:18.163 --> 0:16:22.203 has been fantastic. Fiona Stanley I'm just trying to think 0:16:22.203 --> 0:16:24.523 of some of the other places out in WA. Your 0:16:24.523 --> 0:16:28.203 public transport system has come on board. And again, it's 0:16:28.203 --> 0:16:32.383 not about getting it right straight away. It's about starting 0:16:32.383 --> 0:16:36.543 that journey and it's about progress, not perfection. So it's 0:16:36.543 --> 0:16:41.503 starting somewhere. And also providing your employees and providing your 0:16:41.503 --> 0:16:46.623 colleagues with enough information that they stay curious. And that's 0:16:46.623 --> 0:16:50.823 really what the initiative wants to accomplish as far as 0:16:50.863 --> 0:16:55.063 what our aims are, is it's all around raising awareness 0:16:55.063 --> 0:16:59.863 and having people understand that everyone, we're all as different 0:16:59.863 --> 0:17:03.423 as our fingerprint, our way, you know, and unfortunately, we're 0:17:03.423 --> 0:17:06.943 not all as understanding as, as we should be. And, and, 0:17:07.302 --> 0:17:11.143 you know, the principles sound quite basic, you know, be kind, 0:17:11.383 --> 0:17:14.383 do not judge, show respect. But when you're in, in 0:17:14.383 --> 0:17:18.143 an environment that can be somewhat triggering, it's a great 0:17:18.143 --> 0:17:22.383 gentle reminder of those principles. So, you know. 0:17:22.423 --> 0:17:25.382 And then today we are finding it harder and harder 0:17:25.383 --> 0:17:28.622 to find generous and kind, thoughtful people who have the 0:17:28.623 --> 0:17:32.792 time and the patience to be with each other. Mhm. Mhm. 0:17:32.993 --> 0:17:36.273 It's sad because there are so many tools out there 0:17:36.273 --> 0:17:40.632 that are technically, you know, as as technology progresses and I'm, 0:17:40.673 --> 0:17:43.233 you know, I'm closer to retirement than I am my 0:17:43.233 --> 0:17:45.393 early stages, but I stay on top of all of, 0:17:45.433 --> 0:17:49.312 you know, the tools and, and, and for accessibility, it's, 0:17:49.513 --> 0:17:53.273 you know, universal design has been amazing. And I, I 0:17:53.312 --> 0:17:56.592 get all of that. Like, I get the, the fact that, um, 0:17:56.632 --> 0:17:59.393 we have to progress as a society, but I don't 0:17:59.392 --> 0:18:03.192 think we should get away from human connection. And there's 0:18:03.193 --> 0:18:07.833 nothing better than to have, you know, that thoughtful gesture, 0:18:07.872 --> 0:18:10.513 you know, whatever that may be. And to everyone, to everyone, 0:18:10.513 --> 0:18:14.392 it's something different, right? Like it might be someone holding 0:18:14.392 --> 0:18:17.833 my hand or it might be a gentle smile or, 0:18:18.273 --> 0:18:21.713 you know, that that's really what the symbol of the 0:18:21.713 --> 0:18:25.913 sunflower represents. And because it's a global brand, you know, 0:18:25.953 --> 0:18:32.173 that same person that leaves an airport, in some distant airport, 0:18:32.173 --> 0:18:35.933 wherever that might be. And lands here in Australia and 0:18:35.933 --> 0:18:40.692 then proceeds to visit a museum or get on public transport. 0:18:40.733 --> 0:18:45.132 I mean that that symbol never, never wavers. So it's 0:18:45.132 --> 0:18:49.453 super important to have as many businesses, um, on board 0:18:49.612 --> 0:18:53.132 and not only for their customers, but for their colleagues. 0:18:53.132 --> 0:18:56.292 And that's another shift. The biggest shift that I've seen 0:18:56.292 --> 0:19:00.052 in the six years of being affiliated with this initiative, 0:19:00.052 --> 0:19:04.973 or five and a half years, is the shift in 0:19:05.572 --> 0:19:09.733 when it first arrived, it was an airport aviation initiative. 0:19:09.733 --> 0:19:13.372 It was a passenger initiative. It was a patient initiative. 0:19:13.372 --> 0:19:17.253 It was taking care of your customer. And now what 0:19:17.253 --> 0:19:19.932 I realize and what I've seen over the course of 0:19:19.933 --> 0:19:22.973 the last 18 months to two years is there's been 0:19:22.973 --> 0:19:26.933 this shift that's equally as important. So if you extrapolate 0:19:26.933 --> 0:19:31.383 that statistic of 1 in 5 and then up to 90%. 0:19:31.382 --> 0:19:35.343 And you assess your workforce and you say, well, I 0:19:35.382 --> 0:19:39.943 didn't realize that we had so many people that potentially 0:19:40.062 --> 0:19:45.903 could have disability, perhaps need support, like need a bit 0:19:45.903 --> 0:19:49.463 more understanding in the workplace. The reason why they don't 0:19:49.463 --> 0:19:52.742 know is because people don't feel safe enough. They, they 0:19:52.822 --> 0:19:57.982 feel that if they were to share their question, you 0:19:57.983 --> 0:20:01.303 know what, where is that information going to be housed? 0:20:01.342 --> 0:20:03.623 You know, someone told me to fill out a form 0:20:03.743 --> 0:20:07.023 to me. I think that's the wrong approach. Sure. There's 0:20:07.023 --> 0:20:10.223 some policies and procedures that we have to follow. Simon, 0:20:10.223 --> 0:20:12.623 don't get me wrong. I'm not, I get it. I 0:20:12.622 --> 0:20:14.622 get that we have to. You know, we have to 0:20:14.663 --> 0:20:17.782 cover the risk of X, Y, z. But what I 0:20:17.782 --> 0:20:21.223 think the shift should be is it starts with a conversation. 0:20:21.423 --> 0:20:25.503 It starts with a manager saying to their employee, hey, 0:20:25.703 --> 0:20:28.602 I noticed that you're wearing the sunflower. Is there something 0:20:28.602 --> 0:20:30.483 I can help you with? Is there something in the 0:20:30.483 --> 0:20:33.003 job that I can help you with? That starts a 0:20:33.003 --> 0:20:38.443 much better conversation than someone getting delivered a form saying, 0:20:38.483 --> 0:20:40.763 you know, fill this out and do this and do that. 0:20:40.882 --> 0:20:45.402 Because people are apprehensive. And the fact that a business 0:20:45.403 --> 0:20:51.723 becomes sunflower friendly, that's proactively telling a talent pool that 0:20:51.723 --> 0:20:55.443 isn't even onboarded yet with your business that, hey, I 0:20:55.483 --> 0:21:00.802 can actually walk into this business and, and feel comfortable 0:21:01.003 --> 0:21:04.523 talking and sharing my story. And I think that's the 0:21:04.523 --> 0:21:09.163 most powerful thing now. Are we there yet culturally, workplace culture? No. 0:21:09.763 --> 0:21:12.562 You know, but but I think it's a shift. I 0:21:12.602 --> 0:21:14.203 don't want to go back. I mean, I've been work 0:21:14.243 --> 0:21:16.802 I've been in the workplace since 1988. Like, I don't 0:21:16.802 --> 0:21:19.282 want to go back to where we were in the 0:21:19.282 --> 0:21:22.562 80s and the 90s where, you know, the managers keep 0:21:22.562 --> 0:21:26.363 their doors shut and there's, um, you know, egos and 0:21:26.362 --> 0:21:28.892 power and all of this sort of thing, I think 0:21:29.253 --> 0:21:35.332 or I believe that the sunflower. Normalizes human condition. 0:21:35.372 --> 0:21:35.732 Yep. 0:21:35.892 --> 0:21:37.853 And that's what I feel, I feel. And the best 0:21:37.852 --> 0:21:41.132 thing that could ever happen is have an executive become 0:21:41.132 --> 0:21:44.133 a sunflower wearer. And I've seen it time and time 0:21:44.132 --> 0:21:48.573 again in across Australia and in New Zealand, where all 0:21:48.572 --> 0:21:52.173 of a sudden, you know, you'll have someone from an 0:21:52.213 --> 0:21:56.093 executive team identify with wearing a sunflower. And better yet, 0:21:56.132 --> 0:21:58.892 even sharing their story. So powerful. Simon. 0:21:58.892 --> 0:22:01.453 It is. Do you have any numbers of how many 0:22:01.453 --> 0:22:05.092 people have registered individuals who have registered to be a 0:22:05.092 --> 0:22:06.612 participant of sunflower? 0:22:06.693 --> 0:22:10.373 No, I don't have that information. Um, but I can 0:22:10.372 --> 0:22:16.372 tell you that, you know, we have 22,000 followers on Instagram. 0:22:16.773 --> 0:22:20.492 We pack and ship what we call a B to 0:22:20.532 --> 0:22:24.132 C channel, which is business to consumer. Um, what you 0:22:24.132 --> 0:22:26.332 can jump on our website and you can purchase a 0:22:26.382 --> 0:22:31.423 lanyard and we pack and fulfill those orders. Um, twice 0:22:31.423 --> 0:22:35.263 a week. Our Bailey House clients that I spoke of earlier, 0:22:35.263 --> 0:22:39.463 that part of their work training and enhancement for what 0:22:39.463 --> 0:22:43.062 we call day programs, um, they do packing and fulfilling, 0:22:43.062 --> 0:22:45.302 which is, which is wonderful. So they pack twice a 0:22:45.302 --> 0:22:48.943 week and we could pack anywhere from 100 to 200 0:22:48.983 --> 0:22:50.582 orders per week. 0:22:50.622 --> 0:22:54.782 Do you know what brings people like an individual to say, ah, 0:22:54.983 --> 0:22:57.863 I think I will participate in this. I think I 0:22:57.862 --> 0:22:59.422 want to wear the sunflower. 0:22:59.463 --> 0:23:00.383 I think the more. 0:23:00.663 --> 0:23:04.623 An individual educates themselves on what it means and what 0:23:04.622 --> 0:23:08.023 it doesn't mean, because there is some misinformation out there. 0:23:08.062 --> 0:23:09.902 Like it's not a get out of jail free card. 0:23:09.903 --> 0:23:13.743 It's not affiliated with the NDIS. We're not government funded. 0:23:14.023 --> 0:23:15.823 It is a choice to wear it and you can 0:23:15.822 --> 0:23:19.062 wear it discreetly. It only works when you're in an 0:23:19.062 --> 0:23:22.503 environment where people recognize the sunflower. So if you go, okay, 0:23:22.503 --> 0:23:23.862 I'm going to wear my lanyard and I'm going to 0:23:23.862 --> 0:23:27.362 go outside and I'm going to waltz around. You know, 0:23:27.403 --> 0:23:30.322 assuming everybody knows what it means. We're still not there yet. 0:23:30.362 --> 0:23:34.203 We haven't reached public awareness. You know the masses of that. 0:23:34.203 --> 0:23:37.842 But we will potentially one day get to that point, 0:23:37.842 --> 0:23:41.963 which is great. I also think, you know, reflecting on 0:23:42.003 --> 0:23:45.082 disability in general, I I'm sure this is talked about 0:23:45.082 --> 0:23:49.083 a lot in many different circles is the concept of, 0:23:49.362 --> 0:23:52.203 you know, am I disabled enough? AM I, you know, 0:23:52.243 --> 0:23:54.962 like if I compared myself to someone else and I 0:23:54.963 --> 0:23:58.842 think we need to really get away from that sort 0:23:58.842 --> 0:24:03.163 of self-criticism, because I think what we have to realize 0:24:03.163 --> 0:24:06.322 is that the barriers that are in society aren't just 0:24:06.322 --> 0:24:10.483 physical barriers. Those barriers can be mental. They can have 0:24:10.483 --> 0:24:13.643 to do with psychological safety. There's a lot of different 0:24:13.642 --> 0:24:17.403 barriers that if we had a tool that we could 0:24:17.403 --> 0:24:21.562 utilize to indicate, hey, today, maybe not tomorrow, but today 0:24:21.562 --> 0:24:24.322 I need a little bit more support and something as 0:24:24.322 --> 0:24:27.573 simple as I'll just give you an example. In workplace. 0:24:27.612 --> 0:24:30.493 Say there's someone who today doesn't want to turn their 0:24:30.493 --> 0:24:33.292 camera on in a meeting. Ten years ago, if you 0:24:33.292 --> 0:24:35.693 didn't have your camera on in a meeting, you would be, 0:24:36.253 --> 0:24:38.773 you know, your manager would be going, you know, why 0:24:38.773 --> 0:24:41.453 don't you have your camera on? In today's workplace culture, 0:24:41.653 --> 0:24:45.612 where we need to be moving to is an inclusive 0:24:45.612 --> 0:24:51.373 workplace where people feel that they can authentically arrive as themselves. 0:24:51.372 --> 0:24:55.132 And that may be on that particular day, not having 0:24:55.132 --> 0:24:56.013 their camera on. 0:24:56.052 --> 0:25:00.172 How do people get involved with the hidden disabilities sunflower 0:25:00.173 --> 0:25:02.612 and how can we reach your organization? 0:25:02.653 --> 0:25:04.092 Yeah. So the website. 0:25:04.092 --> 0:25:11.333 Is WWWHD sunflower, so H as in hidden, D as 0:25:11.332 --> 0:25:17.092 in disability, H d sunflower.com/au. And so you have a 0:25:17.092 --> 0:25:19.132 couple different options you can tick on the flag and 0:25:19.132 --> 0:25:21.572 you can see all the different countries. There's heaps of 0:25:21.572 --> 0:25:25.672 different countries that are rolling out the sunflower across the globe, 0:25:25.673 --> 0:25:29.792 which is amazing. In South America, the sunflower is now 0:25:29.792 --> 0:25:34.352 officially the symbol for non-visible disability, which I think is amazing. 0:25:34.352 --> 0:25:38.032 It sits alongside the iconic wheelchair, and I think that 0:25:38.032 --> 0:25:41.952 that is really amazing because there should be a spot 0:25:41.953 --> 0:25:46.513 for everyone that needs extra support. So if you are 0:25:46.792 --> 0:25:50.993 a consumer who simply wants to identify as a sunflower, 0:25:50.993 --> 0:25:54.352 where you can go to one of our lovely members 0:25:54.352 --> 0:26:00.312 on our sunflower map and potentially get a complimentary sunflower lanyard, 0:26:00.632 --> 0:26:04.273 like as an example. Perth airport. However, you can also 0:26:04.273 --> 0:26:07.673 go on to our website and have one shipped directly 0:26:07.673 --> 0:26:11.072 to your house and we have a wristband and a pin, etc.. 0:26:11.312 --> 0:26:16.193 What are your thoughts about Invisible Disability Awareness Week, which 0:26:16.193 --> 0:26:18.832 is in the last week of October? What do you 0:26:18.832 --> 0:26:20.992 feel about these kinds of awareness weeks and what do 0:26:20.993 --> 0:26:22.913 you what do you think they hope to achieve and 0:26:22.913 --> 0:26:24.562 what do you want them to achieve? 0:26:24.842 --> 0:26:26.203 Oh, I think they're amazing. 0:26:26.203 --> 0:26:29.723 So although like I mentioned earlier, we are not affiliated 0:26:29.723 --> 0:26:35.282 with that particular week. We do share lots of information 0:26:35.282 --> 0:26:39.362 about it. I think anytime there is an awareness piece, 0:26:39.362 --> 0:26:42.963 it's great. I would love to find a time where, 0:26:43.003 --> 0:26:46.243 you know, it's just common conversation to be had every day, 0:26:46.243 --> 0:26:49.362 all day. Um, but if it takes an awareness day, 0:26:49.362 --> 0:26:52.362 I think it just gives people an opportunity to learn 0:26:52.362 --> 0:26:56.683 more and to understand that if you don't have challenges 0:26:56.683 --> 0:26:59.643 right now in your life or you don't know someone 0:26:59.642 --> 0:27:01.922 who potentially does, one day you will. 0:27:02.082 --> 0:27:03.723 That's exactly right. Right. 0:27:03.763 --> 0:27:08.763 So it's it's learning and staying curious, Simon. 0:27:09.243 --> 0:27:12.602 It is. On that note, Sandy, we have to wind 0:27:12.602 --> 0:27:15.322 the show up now. So I'd like to thank Sandy 0:27:15.362 --> 0:27:20.123 Pacey from Hidden Disabilities, Sunflower Australia and New Zealand for 0:27:20.122 --> 0:27:24.263 joining us in the studio today. And thanks for joining us, Sandy. 0:27:24.663 --> 0:27:27.142 Well, thank you so much for the opportunity. I really 0:27:27.142 --> 0:27:29.302 appreciate it. Have a wonderful day. 0:27:29.622 --> 0:27:32.743 You too. And that's all we've got time for this week, everybody. 0:27:32.743 --> 0:27:34.903 And thanks for joining us once again on In Plain 0:27:34.903 --> 0:27:37.302 Sight on Vision Australia Radio. Speak to you next time. 0:27:37.302 --> 0:27:38.023 Bye for now. 0:27:49.943 --> 0:27:52.582 That concludes In Plain Sight for this week. Join us 0:27:52.582 --> 0:27:55.702 at the same time next week on Vision Australia Radio. 0:27:56.023 --> 0:28:00.863 VA Radio Digital and online at VA radio.org. You can 0:28:00.862 --> 0:28:04.342 also listen on demand by searching for In Plain Sight 0:28:04.342 --> 0:28:08.183 by Vision Australia Radio. Wherever you get your podcasts, or 0:28:08.183 --> 0:28:11.503 ask your smart device to play in Plain Sight by 0:28:11.503 --> 0:28:13.902 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks for listening. 0:28:14.183 --> 0:28:14.782 Thank you.